Machine for first preliminarily and thereafter permanently assembling fittings



Jan. 2, 1951 H. w. MACKEY MACHINE FOR FIRST PRELIMINARILY AND THEREAFTER Filed Oct. 21,1947

PERMANENTLY ASSEMBLING FITTINGS 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. NENRY W. MACKEY Jan. 2, 1951 2,536,381

H. W. MACKEY MACHINE FOR FIRST PRELIMINARILY AND THEREAFTER Filed Oct. 21, 1947 PERMANENTLY ASSEMBLING FITTINGS G'SheetS-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HENRY W. MACKEY.

*Jan. 2, 1951 H. w. CKEY 2,536,381

MACHINE FOR FIRST P E M NARILY AND THEREAFTER PERMANENTLY SEMBLING FITTINGS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 21, 1947 INVENTOR- HENRY W MACKEY.

TTORNEYS.

mmm.

Jall- 1951 H. w. MACKEY 2,536,381

7 MACHlNE FOR FIRST PRELIMINARILY AND THEREAFTER PERMANENTLYASSEMBLING FITTINGS Filed Oct. 21, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. HENRY W. MACKEY.

Jan. 2, 1951 H. w. MACKEY 2,536,381

MACHINE FOR FIRST PRELIMINARILY AND THEREAFTER PERMANENTLY ASSEMBLING FITTINGS Filed Oct. 21, 1947 6 SheetsSheet 5 ,JNVENTOR. 3'9 HENRY w. MACKEY.

! a BY Jan. 2, 1951 H. w. MACKEY 2,536,331

MACHINE FOR FIRST PRELIMINARILY AND THEREAFTER PERMANENTLY ASSEMBLING FITTINGS Filed Oct. 21, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. HENRY W MACKEY.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 2, 1951 MACHINE FOR FIRST PRELIMINARILY AND THEREAFTER PERMANENTLY AS- SEMBLING FITTINGS Henry W. Mackey, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Motor Products Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of New York Application October 21, 1947, Serial No. 781,141

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a machine for producing fittings having a plurality of parts adapted to be secured together, and refers more particularly to a machine for assembling fittings comprising a bracket part and a shaft part.

One of the objects of this invention is to produce fittings of the above general type on an economical production basis with a minimum effort on the part to the workman. In accorolance with this invention the parts to be assembled are positioned in one or more work holders and the latter are indexed step by step into registration with a plurality of stations. At one station provision is made for assembling the bracket of the fitting on the shaft and at another sta- 4 tion a device is provided for riveting the shaft to the bracket.

With the foregoing in view, it is a more detailed object of this invention to provide means for indexing the holder or holders to successively register the latter with the various stations and to also provide means for operating the assembly and riveting fixtures in timed relation to the operation of the indexing means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple ejecting device at one of the stations operable subsequent to the riveting operation and in timed relation to the indexing means to eject the fittings from the holders.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine of the above general type embodying novel, relatively simple mechanism for indexing the holders and for operating the various devices at the several stations. These mechanisms as well as other features of the invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of an assembly machine embodying the features of this invention and taken substantially on the line l-! of Figure 2;

i Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and showing the indexing pole in its raised position;

Figures 3 to 8 inclusive are respectively seetional views taken on the lines 3-3, 34, 5-5, B--6, 1-'| and 88 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line Ill- 4 0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a sectional view similar to Figure 10 showing the parts in another position;

Figure 12 is an enlarged plan View of one of the work holders;

Figures 13 and 14 are respectively sectional views taken on the lines I 3l3 and I4|4 of Figure 12;

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14 showing the position of the parts during the ejecting operation;

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view taken on the line i5l6 of Figure 14;

Figure 17 is a sectional view taken on the line l'I-l'! of Figure 3; and

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the fitting assembled according to the present invention.

Although many of the features of this invention may be advantageously used in machines for assembling the parts of difierent types of fittings, nevertheless, the particular machine illustrated herein is especially designed for assembling fittings of the type used on vehicle body ventilator windows of the swinging type to support the handle of the latch mechanism. In Figure 18 of the drawings, a typical fitting is shown as comprising a bracket 26 and a shaft 2|. The bracket 20 has a body portion 22 and an attaching flange 23. The body portion has an opening 24 therethrough for receiving one end of the shaft 2!, and the latter end of the shaft is formed with a V-shaped groove extending transversely thereof to provide laterally spaced lugs 25 which are riveted over the body portion of the bracket to permanently secure the shaft to the latter. The opposite end of the shaft 21 is formed with a transversely extending lug 26 which cooperates with the usual ventilator latch handle to provide a driving connection therebetween.

The purpose of the machine forming the subject matter of this invention is to assemble the bracket 20 on the shaft 2!, and to subsequently rivet the lugs 25 over the bracket to permanently secure the shaft to the bracket. In detail the machine has an elevated table 2? suitably supportcd at the upper end of a post 28 and centrally apertured to enable projecting the upper end of a driving shaft 253 therethrough. A bushing 30 is secured in the central opening of the table 21 to form a journal for the upper end of the shaft 29, and the lower end of the shaft is journalled in a bushing 3i suitably secured in an opening formed in the top wall of a housing 32 which is suitably secured to the post 28 adjacent the lower end of the latter.

A circular plate 33 is secured at its center to the upper end of the shaft 29, and a plurality of work holders 34 are secured to the top of the 3 plate 33 adjacent the periphery of the latter. The work holders 53 i are spaced equal distances from each other circumferentially of the plate 33, and are identical to one another in construction. Thus a description of one of the work holders will sufice for all, and particular reference is made to Figures and 11, wherein one of the work holders is,shown in detail.

Each work holder 34 comprises a pad 35 having a reduced circular portion depending from theunderside thereof and adapted to fit man opening 36 formed in the plate The pad 35 is centrally bored to receive a bushing 3i havingitsaxis extending vertically and having an-interna-l diameter sufficient to slidably receive the shaft 2! of the fitting. The shaft is inserted into the bushing ill from the top end of thelatt'erwith' the projection 2% at the lower end of the shaft; and is supported in the bushingb-y an anvil The anvil 38 has an enlarged head portion at the lower end adapted to slidably engage the top surfaceof the table 2? and has an upwardly extending cylindrical portion which projects into the lower end of the bushing for engagement with the adjacent end of the shaft 2 i The length of thecylindrical portion on the anvil 3E; is sufficient to locate the shaft 2i in the bushing with the upper end or" theshait projecting above the corresponding end of the bushing. For reasons to be more fully hereinafter described, the upper end of the cylindrical portion of the anvil is formed with a projection es which cooperates with the projection 25 on the lower end of the shaft 2i to angula-rly position the latter in the bushing 3i.

Extending above the top surface of the pad are suitable locating pins which cooperate to position the bracket 2% with the opening it in alignment with the shaft 2 i In detail reference is made to Figures 10 to 13' inclusive, wherein willbe noted'that the edge of the-body portion oi the bracket 2t opposite the attaching fian e 26 is engaged by a pin suitably secured to the pad 35. It will be noted particularly from Figure 12 of the drawings that the inner side 52 of the pin M is machined to provide a flat surface for en-- gagement with the bracket Cooperating with the pin M are two pairs of pins and M. The adjacent sides of each pair of pins are machined to form fiat suriacestt, and the pins are secured to the pad in such a manner that the surfaces lfion the pins of each pair are arranged at substantially S9 with respect to each other. It will further be observed from Fi ure 12 of the-'drawings that the two pairs of p ns are-so-located on the pad 35 that the flat surfaces on one pair of pins engage adjacent edges of the bracket 26 at one corner of the latter, and the flat surfaces on the pair of pins ii -l engage adjacent edges of the bracket at the opposite corner. The two corners referred to are opposite the side of the bracket engaged by the pin ii, so that the pairs of cooperate with the pin t! in definitely locating the bracket 2%. Upon reference to Figure 13, it willbe noted that the pins of each pair are secured in proper angular relationship by triangularly shaped clamps 56 having right angle sides respectively engaging the surfaces :25 on the pins of each pair and having a tapered surface d'i. Suitable headed clamping screws 58 are secured to the holder with the heads thereof engaging the tapered surfaces A? to wedge the clamps into engagements/1th the respectivepairs of pins 43 and 44'.

After the operator inserts the shaft 21 into the bushing 3'5 in the holder 34, the bracket 29 is dropped onto the holder between the cooperating locating pins previously described. These pins cooperate with one another to position the bracket with the opening 24 in alignment with the upper end of the shaft'Zi. However, in actuai practice the diameter or" the opening 2 5 is so determined with respect to the diameter of the upper end of the shaft 2 i, as to require the bracket to be pressed onto the shaft. Thus the bracket Z't'assumes a cooked position in the holder 35 indicated in Figure it of the drawings.

The number of holders 3 t secured to the plate 33 corresponds to the number of stations pro vided. In the present instance eight stations are shown, and these stations are numbered L, L1, L2; A, I, R, I2 and E. Stations L, L1 and L2 are loading stations where the operator inserts the shafts 2i and brackets 2! in the holders 3t registering with these stations. An assembly fixture to be more fully hereinafter described is suitably supported above'the plat 33 at station. A. Station I is an idling station, and a riveting device 5i is supported above the plate 33 at station R. Station I2 is a second idling station, and suitable ejecting mechanism 52 is located at station E. It. will be understood as this description proceeds that the plate 33 is moved step by step relative to the stations to successively register the holders with the stations.

The assembly fixture comprises a sleeve 53 and a plunger 54 supported for sliding movement in the sleeve. The sleeve 53 is supported with its axis extending vertically and is closed at the upper end by a plug 55. The plunger 54 is slidably supported in the sleeve and has a recess 56 at the upper end portion for receiving a coil spring 51. The coil spring 5! is held under compression between the bottom wall of the recess in the plunger and the plug tendingto move the plunger in a downward direction relative to the sleeve 53. The lower end portion 58 of the plunger is reduced in diameter to provide an annular shoulder 59', and a cooperating shoulder 60' is formed on the sleeve 53 to limit the extent of downward movement of the plunger by the spring 51. The reduced end portion 58 of the plunger is of sufficient length to project downwardly beyond the corresponding end ofthe sleeve when the shoulder 59 on the plunger isin engagementwith the shoulder (ill on the sleeve. This position of the parts is shown in Figure 10 of. the drawings,

and it will be noted that the. lower end of the plungerris V-shaped in cross section to fit within the V-shaped groove formed in the upper end of the shaft 2| in the registering holder.

The assembly fixture 5B is supported on the inner end of an arm 6! in a position to align the plunger 5 with the shaft 2| supported in the holder 34 which has been moved in registration with the assembly fixture or station A. Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, it will be noted that the outer end of the arm 6| is vertically bored to receive a bushing 62', and this bushing is slidably supported on a vertical shaft 63 having the lower end suitably anchored on the table 21. The arm 51 is secured intermediate the ends to a-vert-ical' operating rod 64 slidably supported in a bushing 65 located in an opening formed in the table 21. The lower end of the: operating rod is slidably supported in a guide 66 secured to the top wall of the housing 32, and this wall of the housing is aperturedto enable projecting the lower end ofthe rod" into the housing, A roller 61 is suitably supported on the lower end of the rod 64 in a position to engage a cam 68. The cam 68 is shown in Figure '7 of the drawings, and is freely rotatably supported on a drive shaft 69. In order to connect the cam to the drive shaft for rotation by the latter, an arm is provided having a hub por tion at the inner end secured to the shaft 69 and having the outer end positioned for engagement with a pin 1| projecting laterally from the side surface of the cam adjacent the arm 10.

It follows from the above that rotation of the shaft 69 in the direction of the arrow 12 in Figure '7 of the drawings imparts a rotation to the cam 68 in a corresponding direction through the medium of the arm HI and pin H. The cam 58 has a surface 13 engageable with the roller 51 at the lower end of the rod 64 during rotation of the plate 33 to index the work holders 34, and this surface of the cam is shaped to hold the assembly fixture 50 at the upper end of the rod 64 a substantial distance above the path of travel of the holders. It will further be noted from Figure 7 of the drawings that the cam surface 13 terminates in an abrupt radially inwardly extending shoulder 14, which enables the rod 54 and assembly fixture 50 to drop downwardly. Owing to the fact that the cam 68 is rotatable relative to the driving arm 10 in the direction of the arrow 12, it will be noted that as soon as the roller 61 approaches the shoulder M on the cam, the latter is "kicked" in the direction of the arrow 12 relative to the driving arm 10 by the weight of the assembly fixture. Thus the assembly fixture drops from its elevated position by the action of a spring S without interference from the cam 68, and the resulting force is sufficient to assemble the bracket 20 on the registering holder 34 with the associated shaft 2! in the manner shown in Figure 11 of the drawings. It will, of course, be understood that the operation of the cam 68 is so timed with respect to the indexing operation of the plate 33 that the cam 58 maintains the assembly fixture in its rai ed position out of the path of travel of the holders on the plate 33 until the plate has advanced one of the holders in accurate registration with the fixture.

The cam then releases the rod 64 and permits the fixture to drop in the manner previously described.

During initial descent of the assembly fixture 50, the lower end of the plunger 54 extends through the opening 24 in the bracket Ell, and the V-shaped portion of the plunger engages in the V-shaped groove formed in the upper end of the shaft 2 i. Continued downward movement of the assembly fixture displaces the plunger 54 upwardly in the sleeve 53 against the action of the spring 5! and enables the lower end of the sleeve to engage the bracket 23 around the opening 24 therethrough. As a result the bracket 26 is forced over the upper end of the shaft 2i in the manner indicated in Figure 11 of the drawings. It is pointed out at this time that the shaft 2! is angularly located with the V-shaped groove in the upper end positioned to receive the corre- I The particular means provided for indexing the plate 33 to successively locate the work holders M at the different stations Will be more fully hereinafter described. For the present it will suffice to point out that after the assembly fixture 59 has completed its operation and is again raised by the cam 68 to its elevated position, the plate 33 is indexed to move the holder 3% from the assembly station A to the idle station I. During the next indexing operation, the holder is registered with the riveting station R. At this station a riveting device 51 of more or less conventional design is supported. In general the riveting device 5| is slidably supported on a vertical column ll extending upwardly from the post 28, and the weight of the riveting device is counterbalanced by a spring '5 The riveting device has a spindle 19 supported with its axis extending vertically in alignment with the path of travel of the work holders 3 and connected in-' termediate the ends thereof to a suitable prime mover (not shown) by a sprocket and chain. f'he lower end of the spindle carries a rotatable hammer in the form of a pin til adapted to enthe upwardly projecting end of the shaft 2l' supported in the registering holder to rivet the lugs 25 on the shaft over the top surface of the bracket 23.

The riveting device is operated by a cam 8| shown in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings as secured to the drive shaft til for rotation as a unit with the latter. The peripheral surface 82 of the cam ti roller 83 suitably supported on the inner end of a lever 8d projecting outwardly through slots 85 in opposite sides of the column 28 and pivoted at its outer end on the machine frame by a pin 35. The lever 84 is connected intermediate its ends to the lower end of a rod ill which extends axially upwardly through the column 2;! and is pivotally connected at its upper end to the riveting device 5 l The surface 32 of the cam is developed to hold the riveting device with the hammer 8G elevated above the path of travel of the work holders 34 during indexing movement of the plate 33. This surface, however, is interrupted by a generally radially inwardly extending portion 88 developed in a manner to lower the riveting device 5| upon completion of the indexing operation to engage the rotatable hammer with the upper end of the shaft 23 supported in the holder registering with the riveting device. Upon completion of the riveting operation, the roller 83 is again moved outwardly by the cam surface 82 to raise the riveting device hi to its inoperative position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

After the riveting device has been raised to its inoperative position, the holder with the complete fitting therein is indexed to the idling station 12 and during the next indexing operation, is registered with the ejecting mechanism 52.

supported in the work holder at station E. The

lower end of the plunger 89 is pivotally connected to the inner end of a rock arm 92 pivotally supported intermediate the ends on a bracket 93 de pending from the table 2i. The outer end of-the arm 92 is pivoted to a bushing 94, and the latter is secured to'a vertically extending rod 95'. The

, shown in Figure 5 of the drawings.

the plate adjacent the sprocket I01.

rod '95;.is: suitably supported for vertical-sliding movementon the table and housing 32, as shown particularly. in Figure l of the drawings. A roller fi-is supported on the. lower end of the rod 95 and engages a cam SI shown in detail in Figure 6 j of the drawings.

The cam 91 has a hub rotatably supported on the shaft 69, and is operatively connected to the shaft by an arm 98 having the inner end secured to theshaft 69 adjacent the cam 9'! and having the outer endpositioned for engagement with a pin '99 projecting laterally from the cam adjacent its periphery. The surface I on the cam 91 is developed to maintain the rod 95 in its raised position, or in other words, to maintain the plunger 89 in its retracted position during index-ingmovement of the plate 33. The surface IEIfi terminates at an abrupt radially inwardly extending shoulder IQI, so that as the roller 96 approaches the abrupt shoulder IUI, the cam 91 is kicked forwardly relative to the driving arm 98 to permit the shaft 95 to drop downwardly. As the shaft 95 drops downwardly,

the plunger 89 is, of course, moved upwardly by.

the rock arm 92, and the upper end of the plunger I39 projects through the opening 9! in the table. If desired, the above movement of the plunger may be assisted by the action of a spring I02 having the upper end connected to the table and having the lower end connected to the rock shaft 82 adjacent the connection between the rockarmand plunger 89. In any case the upper end of the plunger engages the head on the anvil 39, and moves the anvil upwardly in the associatedbushing 3'! with sufficient force to throw the fitting out of the registering holder. As the fitting is thrown upwardly out of the holder 36, it is deflected to a suitable point of delivery by a bafiie I133 supported on the table 2! and projecting above the station E.

- It will be noted from the above description that the rods 54 and .95 are moved downwardly with considerable force during the respective assembly .and ejecting operations. In order to absorb the shock of downward movement of these rods, suitable buffers I94 and I may be provided on the top wall of the housing 32. The buffer I04 is positioned to engage a vertically adjustable stop I05 on the rod 54 and the buffer I05 is adapted to engage the lcwerend of the bushing 94 ion the rod 95. Thus the cams for operating the respective rods are relieved from any destructive shocks.

The drive shaft 69 is-suitably journalled in the housing 32 and is driven by any suitable prime mover (not shown) through the medium of a sprocket III'I and a chain I98. The sprocket is freely rotatably supported on the drive shaft and is coupled to the latter by the mechanism This mecha- .nism comprises a plate I09 having a hub secured to the drive shaft in a position to locate An arm Hil is pivoted at one end to the plate adjacent the periphery of the latter for swinging movement in a plane parallel to the plane of rotation of the plate. The free end of the arm extends over the hub of the plate to the opposite side of the latter and is engaged by a shoulder III formed on a lever II2 intermediate the ends of the latter. Gne end of the lever is pivoted to the plate adjacent the periphery of the latter, and-the opposite end of the lever is engaged by one end ofa spring I I3. The spring is anchored ,on thejplate in such a manner that ittends to swing the lever in a directiontowardthexfree end of the arm II0 to thereby maintain the shoulder III in engagementwith .theifree end of the arm IN]. A pin II4 projects-latera1ly from the sprocket I01 andis located in .a-,position to engage the edge of the free end of the arm I I9 opposite the edge engaged by the shoulder III.

It follows from the above that the-driving torque is transmitted from the sprocket III! to the plate I89 through the arm I Ill and pin II4. However, if for any reason, one of the operating partsof themachine becomes jammed, the resulting increasedresistance to continued r0- tation of the drive shaft is sufficient to release the free end of the arm IIUfrom the shoulder III and permit free rotation of the driving sprocket It! on the'shaft 69. In the event'this condition exists, the arm Iii] swings outwardly against a stop H5 formed on the plate I09'adjacent its periphery. When the conditionexisting in the machine is rectified, thearm III) is returned by the operatorto its operative position shown in Figure 5 where it cooperates with the pin IM and-lever II2 to connect thesprocket I0! to the drive shaft I59.

to the number of stations, and opposite side walls of the slots are flared outwardly atthe periphery of the plate to form recesses II8. In the present instance the plate is frictionally held inany one of its various adjusted positions by means of aroller IIS haV ng-a portion engage,- able in the recesses I It. The roller is-shown in Figure 17 of the drawings as supported'on one end of an arm I29 having the opposite 'endpiv votally supported on a bracket -I2I for swinging movement in a plane parallel to the plate H6. The free end of the arm I2!) is connected to'one end of a spring I22 having the'opposite endsuitably anchored on a fixed part of the machine in such a manner as to yieldablv hold the roller H9 in the registering recess I I8.

The plate H8 is rotated by a crank arm I23 splined for sliding movement on the upper end of avertical shaft I24 and having an upwardly extending pin I25 adapted to extend into the slots II'I upon rotation of the crank by the shaft I24. The shaft Il is journalled on the housing 32 and the lower end of the shaft has abevelled pinion 526 arranged in mesh with'a bevelledgea'r I2! which is secured to the drive shaft 69.

The crank I 23 is normally supported on the vertical shaft I 24 below the plane .of the plate H6, where it may be rotated without engaging the pin 525 with the plate. In detail it will be noted from Figure 1 of the drawings that the crank I23 has 5, depending hub portion provided with an annular groove I28 for engaginga shifting fork I29. The shifting fork is secured to the upper end of a vertically slidable shaft I 3!! having the lower end projecting into the housing Stand normally urged in an upward direction by a coil spring I33.

Referring now toFigure 2 of the drawings, it

will be noted that upward movement of the crank by the shaft we is controlled by a cam I34 se-' cured to the drive shaft 39 for rotation thereby and engageable with a roller I35 supported on the shaft its adjacent the lower end thereof. The surface its on the cam Be t is concentric with the axis of the drive shaft, and While in en gagement with the roller I35, holds the shifting fork I29 downwardly against the action of the spring its in a position wherein the crank H3 is located out of the path of travel of the plate Ht. However, it will be noted that the surface I36 of the cam is interrupted by a recess pro vided with an arcuate surface l3l having a radius less than the radius of the surface i236. Thus when the surface It? on the cam registers with the roller lSE, the spring I33 acts on the shaft its to shift the crank H23 upwardly along the shaft I2 2 to a position wherein the pin I25 projects across the plane of rotation of the plate i It. As a result the pin 625 engages in one of the slots Ill in the plate Hi5 and advances the plate one increment of movement.

The cam its is so designed that upon completion of one increment of movement of the plate lit, the roller litii again engages the surface I36 and moves the shaft ltd downwardly against the action of the spring 9323. This movement of the shaft, of course, shifts the crank i215 downwardly to a position wherein the pin ifiii is located out of the path of travel of the plate lit. The surface 236 on the cam maintains the crank in its inoperative position for sufficient period of time to enable completion of the various operations at the several stations previously described, and is so shaped that upon completion of these operations, the crank is again raised to effect another indexing operation of the plate With this arrangement, the crank E23 may be continuously rotated throughout the operation of the machine, 2

and this greatly simplifies the construction of the machine.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A machine for assembling a fitting having a shaft and a bracket formed with an opening therethrough for receiving one end of the shaft, comprising a loading station and an assembly station spaced from the loading station, a holder for supporting the shaft and bracket in disassembled relationship, said holder having means for supporting the fitting shaft with its axis extending vertically and also having means engageable with the bracket to hold said bracket with the opening therethrough in registration with the shaft, indexing mechanism for successively mov'sg the holder into registration with ioading and assembly stations, and mea the assembly station for assembling the bracket on the shaft.

2. A machine for assembling a fitting having a shaft and a bracket formed with an opening therethrough for receiving one end of the shaft, comprising a plurality of spaced stations, an assembly fixture at one station, a riveting device at another station, a holder having means for supporting in disassembled relationship a fitting shaft with its axis extending substantially verti- Cally and a bracket with its opening in registration with the shaft, indexing mechanism for successively moving the holder into registration with said stations, and means at the assembly and riveting stations operating in timed relation to movement of the holder in registration therewith to assemble the bracket on the shaft and to rivet one end of the shaft over the bracket.

3. A machine for assembling a shaft and a stations, an assembly fixture at one station, a

riveting fixture at another station, an ejecting device at a third station, a holder for supporting the shaft and bracket in disassembled relationship, said holder having an opening therethrough in which the shaft is supported with one end projecting beyond one side of the holder, means on the holder for supporting the bracket in disassembled relationship to the fitting shaft and with the openin therethrough in registration with the projecting end of the shaft, indexing mechanism for successively moving the holder into registration with said stations, means responsive to movement of the holder in registration with the assembly station for assembling the bracket on the projecting end of the shaft, means at the riveting station responsive to movement of the holder in registration therewith for riveting the projecting end of the shaft over the bracket, and means at the ejecting station for ejecting the bracket and shaft from the holder in response to movement of the holder in registration with said ejecting station.

4. A machine for assembling a shaft and a bracket having an opening therethrough for recelving the shaft, comprising an assembly fixture including a sleeve, a plunger slidable in the sleeve and adapted to extend through the opening in the bracket, cooperating engaging shoulders on the sleeve and plunger for positioning the latter with one end projecting beyond the corresponding end of the sleeve, spring means acting on the plunger to yieldably hold the cooperating shoulders in contact with one another, a holder for supporting the fitting shaft and bracket in disassembled relationship, said holder having a bushing supported with its axis parallel to the axis of the plunger and adapted to support the shaft to be assembled with the bracket, locating elements on the holder cooperating with each other to support the bracket in disassembled relationship to the shaft and with the opening therethrough in registration with the adjacent end of the shaft, means for moving the holder relative to the assembly fixture to position the projecting end of the shaft in alignment with the projecting end of the plunger, and means for relatively moving the holder and assembly fixture in directions toward one another to assemble the bracket and shaft.

5. A machine for assembling a fitting having a shaft and a bracket formed with an opening therethrough for receiving one end of the shaft, comprisin a table, a holder supported above the table and having provision for supporting the fitting shaft and bracket in disassembled relationship, said holder having an opening therethrough for receiving the lower end of the fitting shaft, an anvil having a portion at the lower end slidably engaging the table and having another portion slidably supported in the holder opening and engageable with the adjacent end of the fitting shaft to support the latter with its opposite end extending beyond the holder, means on the holder for supporting the bracket in assembled. relation to the shaft and with the opening therethrough in registration with the projecting end of the shaft, means for indexing the holder relative to the table to different stations, and. means at one of the stations for assembling the bracket on the shaft.

6. A machine for assembling a fitting having a shaft and a bracket formed with an opening M ii therethrougli for receiving one end of the shaft, comprising a table, a holder supported above the tablefand having provision for supporting the fitt ng shaft and bracket in disassembled relationship; said holder having an opening therethrough for receiving the lower end" of the fitting shaft-an anvilhaving a portion slidably supported in the holderopening and'engageable with the lower end of the fitting shaft to support the latter with its upper end extending beyond the holder and having another portion slidab-ly engaging the table, means on the holder for supporting the bracket in "disassembled relationship to the shaft and with' the opening therethrough in registration witli the upper end of the shaft, means for indexing the holder relative to the table to different stations, meansat one of the stations for assemblirig the bracket on the shaft in response to movement of the holder in registration with the said one station, and means at another station for riveting the end of the shaft over the bracket in response to movement of the holder to aposition in registration with the latter station.

'7. Amachine for-assembling a fitting having a shaft and a bracket formed with an opening therethrough,for'receiving one end of the shaft, comprising a table, a holder supported above the table and having provision for supporting the fitting shaft and bracket in disassembled relationship, said holder having an opening therethrough for receiving one end of the fitting shaft, an anvil having a portion slidably supported in the'holder opening and engageable with the lower'en'dof the fitting shaft to support the latter with the oppositeend thereof extending beyond the holder and havinganother portion slidably engaging the table, fmeans on the holder for supporting the bracket in disassembled relationship to the shaft and with the opening therethrough in registration with the projecting end of the shaft, means for indexing the holder relative to the table to different stations, means at one of the stations for assembling the bracket on the shaft in ;respon'se to movement of the holder in registration with'the said one station, means atanother sta tion for" riveting the projecting end of the shaft over the bracket in response to movement of the holder to a position in registration with the latter station, and means at a third station operable in response to movement of the holder in registration therewith to move the anvil in a direction to eject thefitting from the holder.

'8. 'A'machine for assembling a fittin having a shaft and a bracket formed with an opening therthrou'gh for receiving one end of the shaft, comprising a table, an indexing plate supported abov'e the table for rotation, a plurality of holde'rs secured to the plate in circumferential spaced relationship and each holder having rovision for supporting a fitting shaft and a bracket in disassembled relationship, said holders having openings therethrough for respectively receiving the lower ends of a corresponding number of fitting shafts, an anvil slidable in each holder opening for supporting the fitting shafts with the upper ends projecting above the holders, means on'each holder for supporting a fitting bracket in disassembled relationship to the associated fitting shaft and with the opening therethro-ugh in registration with the associated fitting shaft, means for indexing the plate to successively register the holders with different stations, means at one'station for assembling the brackets on the shafts andoperable in timed relation to movement of the holders in registration with the said one sta therethrough fo'rre'ceiving one end of the shaft, comprising a table, an indexing plate supported above the table for rotation, a plurality ofholders secured to the plate in circumfere'ntial's'paced relationship and each holderhavingprovision for supporting a fitting shaft and a bracket iii disassembled'relationship,-saidholdershavin'gmeans for respectively supporting fitting shafts in a verti'cal position thereon, means on each holder for supporting a bracket in disassembled relationship with the associated fitting shaft and with the opening therethrough in registration with the upper end of the associated fitting shaft, means for indexing the plate to successivel register the holders with different stations, arr-assembly fixture at one station for assembling the brackets and associated fitting shafts, and riveting device at a'second station for riveting the upper ends of the shafts over the brackets. I

10. A machine for assembling fittings, comprising a rotatable drive shaft, a work holder, a work performing device supported for movement toward and awa from the work holder, means for periodically moving said device in directions toward and away from the work holder includin a rod supported for reciprocation an'd'conne'cted at one end to the'device, 'a cam supported onthe drive shaft for rotation relative thereto and having an abrupt shoulder extending generally radial- 1y inwardly from the periphery of the cam, an arm fixed at one end to the drive shaft adjacent the cam and having the opposite end engageable with a pin extending laterally from the cam adjacent its periphery, and a follower on the end of 'the' rod opposite the end connected to said oevice and engageable with the periphery of the cam.

11. A machine for assembling fittings, comprising' a rotatable drive shaft, a work holder, a work performing device supported for movement toward and away from the work holder, r'nee'ms for periodically moving said-device in directions toward and away from the" work holder including a rod supported for reciprocation and connected at one end to the device, a cam supported on'the drive shaft for rotation rel'ative thereto and-having an abrupt shoulder extending generall radially inwardly from the; periphery of the cam, a follower on the endof the rod opposite the end connected to said device and eng'ageable with the periphery of the cam, and a releasable driving connection between the cam and drive shaft operabl to rotate said 'cam in one direction as a unit with the drive shaft and permitting iotation of the cam in said direction relative tothe drive shaft.

12. A machine for assembling a fitting having a shaft and a bracket formed with anopening therethrough for receiving one end of the shaft, comprising a holder having means for supporting the fitting shaft in a vertical position with the upper end thereof projecting above the holder, means on said holder for supporting "the- 'bra'c'ket in disassembled relationship to the shaft and with the opening therethroii'gh-in 'regist-rationwith the projecting upper end of said shaft, means carried by the holder and engageable with the shaft for holding the latter against rotative movement relative to the holder, and an assembly fixture supported above the holder and having means movable downwardly relative to the holder into engagement with the bracket for moving the latter downwardly relative to the fitting shaft to project the upper end of the shaft through the opening in the bracket.

13. A machine for assembling a fitting having a shaft and having a bracket provided with an opening through which one end of the shaft projects, comprising a holder having means for supporting the fitting shaft in a vertical position with the upper end projecting above the adjacent surface of the holder, means on said holder for supporting the bracket in disassembled relationship to the fitting shaft and with the opening therethrough in registration with the upper end of the shaft, an ejector member supported for sliding movement in the holder directly below the lower end of the shaft and having a part engageable in a recess formed in the lower end of the shaft for cooperation with the part to prevent rotation of the shaft relative to the holder, an assembly fixture supported in a position above the holder and having a plunger movable downwardly through the opening in the bracket into engagement with the upper end of the shaft, and means movable downwardly with said plunger and engageable with the bracket for forcing the bracket in a downward direction to project the upper end of the shaft through the opening in the bracket.

HENRY W. MACKEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 465,869 Maclean Dec. 29, 1891 509,897 Hatch et a1. Dec. 5, 1893 850,905 Busse Apr. 23, 1907 966,090 Hamacek Aug. 2, 1910 1,290,201 Homans Jan. 7, 1919 1,429,481 Ayers Sept. 19, 1922 1,487,731 Enna Mar. 25, 1924 1,606,964 Sexauer Nov. 16, 1926 1,800,567 Poole Apr. 14, 1931 1,941,992 Mackenny Jan.. 2, 1934 2,374,464 Skriba Apr. 24, 1945 

